The Animals of Farthing Wood is an animated series by the European Broadcasting Union between 1992 and 1995, based on the series of books written by Colin Dann. It followed the animals of Farthing Wood, who were forced to flee their homes after humans started destroying the wood in order to build houses. Led by Fox, and guided by Toad, the animals left Farthing Wood on a journey to White Deer Park, a nature reserve where they would be protected.

The first series concentrated on the journey, while the second and third seasons were primarily set in White Deer Park itself.

Weasel:(slurs) No! Nice! I'm nice too Badger, when you get to know me! *hic* Which you will, now that we're holed up together!

Badger: Stop it!

Weasel:(slurs) I'm still thirsty! You know Badger, humans can be nice too! In fact, I could get to quite like them!

Badger: Weasel... are you feeling alright?

Weasel:(slurs) Never better old chap! (falls over)

(Weasel and Badger escape from the wine cellar when the landlord receives a delivery)

Weasel:(slurs) Here we go, here we go, here we go!

Landlord: What on earth?

Delivery Man: Here! You got a licence for that one Brian?

Badger: What are we going to do about Weasel?

Owl: Leave her! I would.

Weasel:(slurs) Can't go without Weasel! You know Badger, you've been like a father to me, you have! I've always looked onto you with the highest... *hic*!

Mr Vole: I don't know Mother. Now we are nearly there I feel almost sad.

Mrs Vole: Sad? Huh! I'm looking forward to being a vole again, I don't know about you! But I know what you mean son. And take comfort in your dreams will never be the dreams of an ordinary vole, never again. Your dreams will be different till the day you die, and so will mine, for I am proud to be a Farthing Wood traveller. And as for that Oath we made, we will keep it amongst ourselves and our children, and our children's children, so that the spirit of the journey will be kept alive forever.

Fox: Well said!

White Stag:(To Toad) To have made this journey once is remarkable. To have done it twice is extraordinary. News of your coming reached us long ago.

Badger: We are so glad to be here. And it's all thanks to Fox. We'd never have done it without him.

Fox: I couldn't have done it without you. And now our little group is breaking up.

Vixen: Of course we'll still be friends with everyone, but...

Fox: They've got their own lives to lead now, haven't they? So have we.

Lady Blue: I'm afraid you were about to make a bit of a faux pas weren't you?

Badger: Was I? Oh, what's a faux, er, pas?

Lady Blue: A boo boo.

Badger: A boo boo?

Lady Blue: Yes. A boo boo. Perhaps I ought to point out one or two little things for your own sake. For example, I suppose you do realise you're trespassing.

Badger: Trespassing?

Lady Blue: This is our territory you know.

Badger: "Ours"? Whose?

Lady Blue: The blue foxes. We have nothing so common as red foxes here. Or at least we didn't till your friends arrived. However, and be that as it may the fact is that you must apply to my mate for permission if you want to live here.

(Owl is about to catch a fieldmouse, but at the last minute decides against it)

Fieldmouse: Heh heh, remember the oath! (he runs off)

Kestrel: That was no Farthing Wood mouse!

Owl: Better safe than sorry Kestrel.

(the mouse continues jeering)

Owl: Miserable little cheat.

Speedy:(To Whistler, on a frozen pond) Of course it is more difficult when the pond is frozen over, although on the other hand fish do tend to be rather sluggish when it's cold, which makes our job easier. So you see, with a little perseverence we can be as successful in Winter as in the Summer. Though of course, we must be careful not to stay in one place too long due to the danger of being frozen in situe.

(Whistler and Speedy have fished to help feed the meat eaters)

Fox: What do you think of survival of the fittest now, Owl?

Owl: Don't interrupt while I'm eating!

(They laugh)

Scarface:(Seeing Fox and Vixen in the distance) My, what miserable looking specimens they are.

Lady Blue: At least having their own territory keeps them at a suitable distance from us. I would hate to see our cubs mixing with theirs, wouldn't you?

Scarface: Ah... As long as they stay there. But just let them put one foot wrong...

Vixen:(Seeing Scarface and Lady Blue in the distance) It's as if they're keeping us prisoner.

Fox: Don't want us poaching on their territory.

Vixen: But they've got most of the park. We'll starve if we keep to Farthing Land.

Fox: That was the deal. No use fighting about it now.

Vixen: But look at you.

Fox: We'll manage.

Scarface: I'm warning you. One more step...

Vixen: The Stag didn't mean us to be kept prisoner on our own lands.

Scarface: We can't come on yours. And you can't come on ours.

Vixen: But if we don't we'll starve! We can't eat Farthing Wood creatures because of the oath. It leaves us very little.

Scarface:(indifferently) My heart bleeds for you. (he walks off)

Lady Blue: There's one thing you have to learn my dear. My mate is the law around here.

Vixen: Oh... I thought the Sta-

Lady Blue: The Stag may be the king, but Scarface holds the power. No one can better him.

Vixen: Not even you?

Lady Blue: How dare you!

Mole: Badger might die!

Owl: And not before time.

Fox: What was that?

Owl: I said... (Clears throat) We all have to go sometime.

Badger: Where am I?

Cat: In the warden's cottage of course.

Badger: What's happened to me? (noticing a bandage on one of his front legs) Did the man do this to me?

Cat: Don't you remember what happened?

Badger: No! (he tugs at the bandage)

Cat: He won't like you doing that. I suppose an enemy hurt you?

Badger: I haven't got many enemies. Just humans, and...

Cat: But my human looked after you. You should be thanking your lucky stars.

Fox: I'm tired and I'm hungry and I'm on my way home when I hear this horrible din! So, I come to investigate and what do I find? You. Now can I give you a word of advice, Weasel. Instead of winding everybody else up, why don't you just wind down?

Mr Vole: In brief Fox I ask you on the oath of Farthing Wood, did you or did you not eat my... mother?

Fox: On the oath of Farthing Wood, no. I did not.

Mr Vole: Well I don't believe you!

Fox: Oh what is the point.

Weasel: Am I missing something?

Owl: Fox stands accused of... of devouring Mrs Vole.

Weasel: Oh? How's that? I saw Scarface eating her!

(The animals are all taken aback)

Vixen: She was on Farthing Land. She should have been safe!

Weasel: Nobody's safe with him around!

Scarface: Eating mice, are you?

Weasel: Er, er, yes! Want one?

Scarface: I prefer live prey.

Weasel: Ahahaha! Er...

Scarface: Aren't they Farthing Wood mice? Tut tut tut!

Weasel: No, and anyway Mr Scarface, sir, they died of a cold so there. Which is more than can be said for the vole you ate!

Scarface: Ah, so you saw that did you?

Weasel: Yes I did! And Mr Scarface, I'm afraid I have to tell you that particular vole was a friend of mine - a Farthing Wood vole!

Scarface:(menacingly) So, what are you going to do about it?

Weasel: Er... nothing.

Scarface: Did you happen to tell anyone you saw me eating a Farthing Wood vole Weasel?

(Weasel shakes her head)

Scarface: Are you quite sure about that?

(Weasel nods)

Scarface: That's good, because if you had told anyone, Scarface would have killed you. Just like I killed your friend. GOT IT?

Fox: You want us... all of us, to all go and live in the warden's cottage?

Badger: Yes, look at me! My fur's shiny, I'm well fed...

Owl: Not to say fat!

Badger: You could be like me!

Mr Hare: The old fool's off his trolley!

Owl: Gone soft... in the brain.

Kestrel: We couldn't go and live in a house!

Badger: No the birds, I'm afraid.

Kestrel: Ah! The Cat. No...

Badger: What do you say Fox?

Fox: I say you should go home and get some sleep! You'll feel better in the morning.

Badger: Oh I see, you think I'm rambling do you? Tch, I don't know why I bothered. Stayed in the warmth, food before me. Well, that'll teach me to think of my so-called friends, didn't even come to meet me.

Mole: But... we didn't know you were coming!

Badger: Huh!

Mole: Badger... where are you going?

Badger: Home, like Fox said! To the warden's house! (he leaves)

Vixen: Poor Badger.

Mr Hare: Excuse me, but I think this calls for a general meeting!

Cat: What do you want? Are you sick again?

Badger: No! I... I've come home!

Cat: You're a wild animal. You don't belong here.

Badger:You manage!

Cat: My kind have learned to purr and rub over man's legs for generations! Could you learn overnight?

Weasel: Suppose I kept right out of Fox's way, stayed off Farthing Land, you know, I mean I can't tell old Blubot what I don't know can I?

Measley: Didn't help you just now. He said "It's your job to know"! I mean, you're supposed to be his spy Weasel.

Weasel: I know but...

Measley: Weasel, I like you. In fact I think you're gorgeous! In fact I'm dotty about you! But if you're going to be silly I'm not going to stay around to see the result! I want to live - even if you don't!

Weasel: Cowardy cowardy custard!

(Owl has informed the animals that the warden's taken away ill)

Mr Rabbit: Did you say the warden's gone?

Owl: No... I said the moon was made of green cheese.

Mr Rabbit:(pauses) Is it really?

Fox:(about the poachers) I say we set up a watch.

Badger: Good idea Fox.

Kestrel: I'll help.

Owl: You? What good are you? Your wing's damaged.

Kestrel: I don't see with my wings Owl, and my eyes are fine.

Owl: Fieldmouse might have something to say about that!

Stoat: Don't kill me. Don't kill me!

Lady Blue: Give me one good reason why not.

Stoat: A stoat's beneath the notice of a lady like you.

Lady Blue: True, but in cold weather we all have to take what we can get. (is about to eat the stoat)

Stoat: No don't! I can help you!

Lady Blue:(laughs) You can indeed. You can help me please my mate. He's hungry.

Stoat: Wouldn't it please him more to have news of the Farthing Wood fox?

Lady Blue: That rather depends. Tell me more...

(Kestrel spots Weasel disguised as a bush)

Kestrel: Hello old friend.

Weasel: I'm no friend of yours! I'm a gorse bush!

Kestrel: No you're not! You're Weasel!

Weasel: Oh, why don't you leave me alone!

Lady Blue:(about Fox) The humans are falling for his trap.

Scarface: And he is going to fall into mine.

Scarface: That Farthing Wood fox has brought trouble down on all our heads!

Owl: I suppose I should tell Fox but I simply cannot face him... not after such a humiliation.

(The poacher soon shoots a blue fox, which Owl mistakens for the Farthing fox)

Owl:(horrified) What did I do? What did I do?

Scarface:(To Weasel about Fox) You can tell him from me, that I'll pay him back for the death of my son, as sure as my name's Scarface.

(after Weasel informs Fox that Scarface blames him for the poachers shooting on of his young)

Vixen: It's not like you to be so hard hearted.

Fox: I'm sorry. It's just I'm worried. It is my fault, you see? The poachers were after me. What I don't understand is why they shot a blue fox? They saw me clearly enough.

Vixen: In the dusk all foxes look the same, red or blue.

Fox: Oh I see... then I've really done it haven't I?

Vixen: Done what?

Fox: I've brought the wrath of the poachers down on all our heads. They'll shoot every fox in the park just to be sure of getting me!

Vixen: Where are you going?

Fox: I'll wait by the boundary. They can't miss me there.

Vixen: No Fox! They won't stop at you, don't you see? It would be a pointless sacrifice! And I need you...

(Owl is grief stricken as she believes she is responsible for the death of who she thought was Fox, and overhears Speedy talking to Whistler)

Speedy: I've just had a word with the hare female. She saw it all. It was the poachers alright, and she told me they'd got a fox. Shot dead, right between the eyes he was! Didn't stand a chance. Mind you, he can't have suffered much. Died at once apparently. Still, makes you think doesn't it? One minute you're here, the next you're not. Far better you enjoy life while you can, that's what I say.

White Stag:(narrating) The death of the blue fox threatened the peace of the park. And a new plan had to be considered. As always, I went to the stone circle to think.

(Lady Blue and Scarface have had cubs, a male and a female)

Lady Blue: Aren't they just gorgeous?

Scarface: Better than anything that other lot could produce. Look... this one's got my nose!

Lady Blue:(To the cub) Come back here! Always ranging, that one.

Scarface: Ooh, a ranger eh? He'll be a great help to his dad against that fox eh? Won't you Ranger?

Lady Blue: Can't you forget him just for a minute?

Scarface:(To Ranger) You and me... we'll sort him out, won't we eh?

Lady Blue: If the poachers don't get us first.

(Fox and Vixen have had four cubs)

Owl: May I say on behalf of all everyone gathered, how gratified we all are on this joyous occasion. Fox and Vixen have always been dear to all of our hearts and-

Mrs Squirrel: Hear hear!

Owl: I haven't finished yet!

Fox: Least said Owl...

Owl: ...soonest mended, yes.

(One of the cubs goes wandering off)

Vixen: Come back here!

Fox: Proper little dreamer she is. Lives in a world of her own.

(Fox carries her back, but Dreamer wanders off again only for one of the other cubs to chase he back)

White Stag: The red fox cleared the park of poachers. You suffered losses because of them. You should be grateful to the Farthing fox.

Scarface: Grateful? To him? He drew the attention of the poachers to the foxes in the first place!

White Stag: But he saved the deer herd, and without the White Deer there would be no White Deer Park, would there? Not for you, nor the Farthing Wood fox or anyone else.

(Scarface snarls)

White Stag: The Farthing Wood animals have a saying. "All for one, and one for all". I am beginning to understand it.

Scarface: More than I do. He's just a troublemaker him! Says we kidnapped his cub! What rubbish. Do you see a red cub round here?

Fox: He's lost. I only asked if you'd seen him.

White Stag: Scarface, do you swear you don't have the Farthing cub imprisoned in your earth?

Lady Blue: That common little beast, in my earth? Puh!

White Stag: Then we must believe him.

(The weasels jeer)

White Stag: Be quiet! Fox is satisfied. Now he's going to leave your territory, and you're going to let him.

Owl: I told you before, Weasel is working for Scarface.

Fox: No she's not. Weasel saved my skin as a matter of fact! She was the one who got the stag to come along.

Owl: There's an old saying Fox. "It is easy to persuade a person of something he wants to believe".

Fox: Yes? Well I know an old saying too Owl. "Credit where credit's due". Well done Weasel.

Bold: Dad?

Fox: And as for you, from now on my son you are going to toe the line. You will keep yourself where you can be seen at all hours of the day and night. You will speak only when you are spoken to and you will obey my orders. Right?

Vixen: Bold? Try not to be too hard on him Fox. You were young once.

Bold: It's alright Mother. I'm going anyway.

Vixen: Going? What do you mean?

Bold: I can't live here with him! I need space. Freedom to be myself! So, I'm off. Take care of her Charmer.

Vixen: But Bold! You're too young to go off on your own.

Bold: This park... just isn't big enough for both of us, is it Dad? So I say goodbye... forever!

Mr Hare:(about Scarface) He's going to kill every Farthing creature he can find!

Weasel: And I know who'll he'll ask where to look! Got to hide! Got to hide!

Measley: Ooh, me too, me too!

Weasel: What do you have to hide for? Scarface isn't interested in you!

Measley: He might think I'm not me!

Weasel: Eh?

Measley: He might think I'm you!

Weasel: Ahahahaha! And if I thought I looked anything like you I'd die! Think you're me indeed, what a cheek!

Measley:(hyperventilating) Well he might! I wouldn't be able to tell him anything useful, and then he'd get angry and tear me limb from limb!(sobs)...I wouldn't like that.

Weasel: He's bound to find you if you make such a racket, and he'll find me as well! Oh, go and find your own hiding place!

Ranger: It's only me. Where's Charmer?

Friendly:I'm on watch now. State your business!

Ranger: I... I have something to tell you. There's going to be an attack.

Friendly: Huh! I don't believe you.

Ranger: But it's true! When I got back to our earth, I heard my father planning it. I came to warn you!

Friendly: Now why would you do that?

Ranger: Because of Charmer. I beg you to keep her safe.

Friendly: Who from? You?

Ranger: I won't attack her. I told you. I won't fight with Farthing Land but I won't fight against it either.

Friendly: Hah! The word of a blue fox isn't worth very much.

Ranger: I can't stay much longer. If my father found me here he'd kill me. Just promise me. Promise you'll go back and tell your father so he can prepare. It's the best I could do for you. It can't hurt to pass on a message surely.

Friendly: And how do I know you aren't telling me all this just to get rid of me, so your family can cross this boundary onto our land?

Ranger: I'll go. Then you'll see there's no one following me.

Fox: Scarface will find the Farthing animals have not lost their courage!

Fox: DON'T get any crazy ideas! Scarface could destroy you, all of you, in seconds! There's only one hope for you, and that's me. And even I may not be able to fend off his whole tribe of foxes, but I'll promise you one thing. I will defend you to the last.

Fox: Yes! Ever since I came to White Deer Park, you've been afraid of me!

Scarface: Ha haw, oh right, right, you're winding me up aren't you?

Fox: Prove you're not afraid. Fight me. Just you and me. Come on!

Scarface: Why sacrifice yourself?

Fox: If you kill me, your quarrel with the animals of Farthing Wood will come to an end. I want your promise on that.

(Scarface sniggers)

Fox: And if I kill you...

Scarface: You're hopeful...

Fox: Come on! What are you waiting for? Or are you yellow?

(Fox has gained the upper hand over Scarface in the fight, and is about to kill him, but releases him instead)

Friendly: Why has he let him go? He could have killed him!

Vixen: He just hasn't got the killer instinct.

Vixen: Scarface is defeated. He won't be back.

Fox: If he comes, he'll come alone. There's no heart for a fight amongst the rest. I think Ranger saw to that.

Mr Hare:(about Fox) He should've finished him!

Mrs Squirrel: I say, it's as well for us Fox hasn't got the killer instinct, or where would we be?

White Stag: She is an extremely silly weasel, and her extreme silliness no doubt caused her to deliver the wrong message. But I do not think there was any maligned intention in what she and her accomplice did.

Weasel: So does that mean we can get our own back by dunking them in the pond as well?

Owl:(makes a nervous hoot) Ooh... er...

White Stag: Perhaps an apology would satisfy you.

Whistler and Speedy: We're sorry.

Weasel and Measley:(To Owl) We're waiting...

Owl: We're... sorry.

Weasel: Don't worry. It was worth it just to hear you say that!

White Stag:(Narrating) Fox may have lacked the killer instinct, but not Adder...